The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a notice marking the start of the pre-filing process for relicensing the Lower Mokelumne River Hydroelectric Project. On December 31, 2025, FERC announced that the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) filed its notice of intent on October 21, 2025, to apply for a new operating license. The project, known as Project No. 2916-085, is located on the Lower Mokelumne River across Amador, Calaveras, and San Joaquin counties in California. This development signals the beginning of a structured regulatory review under FERC's integrated licensing process, which emphasizes early stakeholder involvement and environmental assessments. The significance lies in balancing energy production with ecological protections, as hydroelectric projects like this one must address water management, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources in a region facing ongoing water scarcity and environmental challenges.
Background on the Project and Relicensing Process
The Lower Mokelumne River Hydroelectric Project operates under an existing FERC license, and EBMUD's filing initiates the relicensing procedure as the current term approaches expiration. FERC oversees hydroelectric licensing under the Federal Power Act, requiring operators to obtain new licenses for continued operation. This particular notice commences the pre-filing phase pursuant to 18 CFR part 5, known as the integrated licensing process (ILP). The ILP is designed to streamline reviews by integrating environmental studies, consultations, and public input early on, rather than after a formal application.
EBMUD, a public utility serving water and wastewater needs in the San Francisco Bay Area, manages the project. Priyanka (Priya) Jain, EBMUD's Senior Civil Engineer and Relicensing Manager, serves as the primary contact. The project generates hydropower while supporting water supply functions, highlighting the dual role of such infrastructure in California's water-stressed environment. Past relicensings in similar river systems, such as those on the Klamath or Stanislaus rivers, have involved contentious debates over dam operations, fish passage, and flow regimes, setting precedents for this case.
Key Components of the Pre-Filing Process
FERC's notice outlines several critical steps. EBMUD submitted a Pre-Application Document (PAD) on October 21, 2025, which includes a proposed process plan and schedule. The PAD details existing project operations, environmental conditions, and preliminary issues, serving as a foundation for further studies. FERC has designated EBMUD as its non-federal representative for informal consultations under the Endangered Species Act (Section 7) and the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106). This allows EBMUD to engage directly with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, and the State Historic Preservation Officer.
The notice also initiates scoping, a process to identify environmental issues and study needs. FERC staff issued Scoping Document 1 (SD1), which was mailed to stakeholders and is available online. Comments on the PAD and SD1, along with study requests, are due by February 17, 2026. As noted in the notice, 'All comments on the PAD and SD1, and study requests should be sent to' EBMUD's contact, with copies filed with FERC. This encourages input from federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, though cooperating agencies cannot also intervene, per FERC policy cited as 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001).
Stakeholder Engagement and Public Meetings
To gather diverse perspectives, FERC has scheduled scoping meetings and an environmental site review. Two meetings are set for January 28, 2026, at the Wine & Roses Hotel in Lodi, California: a daytime session from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PST focused on agencies, tribes, and non-governmental organizations, and an evening session from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST for public input. These meetings aim to discuss existing conditions, resource objectives, and study needs, as outlined in the notice: 'At the scoping meetings, staff will: (1) initiate scoping of the issues; (2) review and discuss existing conditions and resource management objectives.'
An environmental site review follows on January 29, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Pardee Center in Valley Springs, California. Participants must arrange their own transportation and contact Sabrina Cheng at EBMUD by January 19, 2026. These events reflect FERC's commitment to inclusive processes, allowing input from environmental groups concerned about river ecosystems, tribes with cultural ties to the area, and local communities reliant on the river for recreation and water.
Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
The relicensing process must address potential impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FERC intends to prepare an environmental assessment (EA), though it could escalate to an environmental impact statement (EIS) if warranted. Key issues likely include effects on endangered species, such as salmon or steelhead in the Mokelumne River, and historic sites. The notice initiates consultations under relevant laws, emphasizing coordination to avoid fragmented reviews.
Political forces include California's push for renewable energy alongside environmental restoration goals. For instance, state water policies under the California Water Resources Control Board could influence flow requirements. Different perspectives emerge: utilities like EBMUD prioritize reliable hydropower, while environmental advocates may push for enhanced protections, citing cases like the relicensing of the Don Pedro Project where flow disputes led to litigation. Tribal nations, potentially including the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, may emphasize cultural resource preservation.
Implications and Broader Context
Short-term implications involve gathering data through studies requested during scoping, shaping the license application due later in the process. Long-term, the outcome could affect water allocation in the Central Valley, where competing demands from agriculture, urban use, and ecosystems persist. Relicensing decisions often result in updated operating conditions, such as minimum flow releases or habitat improvements, influencing regional energy and water management.
In summary, this FERC notice launches a collaborative relicensing effort for a key California hydroelectric project. Potential next steps include issuing Scoping Document 2 based on feedback, followed by formal application review. Ongoing debates may center on balancing energy needs with environmental safeguards, with challenges arising from climate change impacts on water resources. Stakeholders will monitor how consultations resolve competing interests, potentially setting models for future relicensings.
